Simviation Forums

Is that a Devon I spot at Redhill? It's even longer since I was last there. I shall have to pay a visit in the near future.

If I remember correctly the 109 is in fact a replica?

Is there a flying Halifax in the United Kingdom yet, or do you know if there will be?

I'm afraid there isn't one flying anywhere in the world IIRC. I'm not aware of any plans to get it back flying again, anyone know otherwise?

Handley Page Halifax NA377

Of the three Halifaxes remaining today the only complete original example is a former 644 Sqn aircraft. Handley Page Halifax A Mk VII, serial number NA337 was built by Rootes Securities at a 'shadow factory' constructed on the edge of the airfield of what is now John Lennon Airport.

On the night of April 23/24 1945, NA337 was returning from a mission dropping supplies to the Norwegian resistance when it came under enemy fire. As the Halifax passed Lake Mjosa, near the town of Hamer, it fell victim to German AAA protecting a railway and bridge on the lakeshore. The pilot successfully ditched the bomber on the surface of the partially frozen lake at about two in the morning.

Unfortunately, although it is believed all the crew survived the ditching, by the time the Norwegians came out in their boats at first light to search for survivors, only one, the rear gunner Flight Sergeant Weightman, was found alive, lying on top of an overturned dingy. The remainder of the crew perished in the freezing cold waters of the lake and were found floating in their 'Mae West' life jackets, with the exception of the Flight Engineer, who's body was never found.

All five of those who perished were members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve and are buried at the Nordre cemetery at Lillehamar. The pilot, A Turnbull, was awarded the DFC.

NA337 lay undisturbed for 50 years when, in the summer of 1995, the Canadian Halifax Association recovered it for restoration and future display in the RCAF Memorial Museum. When the Halifax broke the surface, the enthusiasts found an almost undamaged parachute as well as the tail gunner's flask - still with coffee in it!

Dismantled and shipped to Canada, the restoration continues and when completed NA337 will be the only original complete Halifax in the world. This is of particular importance to the Canadians who flew 70% of their wartime operations in the type. Only two other complete Halifaxes remain, one at the Bomber Command Museum at Hendon which is still in an unrestored state following it's recovery from a Norwegian lake, and one at the S Yorks Air Museum at Elvington which is a composite aircraft made up from the parts of a variety of others.

I think this is the only 'complete' Halifax in the world. It's actually more of a static replica based on several genuine parts of the fuselage. The wings are from a Hastings & although the engines are genuine the props are glass fibre replicas. The missing parts were built by apprentices at BAe Brough. It was intended as a tribute to the aircrews that flew the Halifax from RAF Elvington during WWII.